Cemetery

Terms of Reference

Sutterton Parish Council

Cemetery Committee – Terms of Reference

 

Membership

The Chair of this Committee and Committee members will be appointed by the Parish Council.  In the absence of the Chair of this Committee or when a conflict of interest arises on an agenda item so that the Chair cannot participate, the members of the Committee may elect a person to chair that meeting or that agenda item.

 

Purpose

  • To manage the safe and efficient operation of the Council’s Cemetery
  • To ensure compliance with relevant legislation
  • To develop proposals for the maintenance or improvement of the Council’s Cemetery
  • To develop and oversee the development of any Cemetery extension.

 

Conditions

  1. Membership of the Committee to be decided upon its creation and the membership of the Committee to be appointed at the Annual Council Meeting.
  2. Meetings to be convened when required within the requirements of the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12, para 10 and the Public Bodies (Admission to meetings).
  3. Meetings may exclude the press and public where appropriate.
  4. Minutes shall be presented to the next meeting of the Parish Council.
  5. The Committee may substitute from other Parish Council members to fill temporary vacancies or absences.
  6. The Committee is empowered to invite specialist professional officers or advisors to attend meetings to provide guidance on matters being considered by this Committee.

 

Restrictions

  1. Only members of the Parish Council may be members of the Committee.
  2. Only members of the Committee may speak at Committee meetings other than by the resolution of the Committee or if specifically invited by the Committee to attend.
  3. The quorum shall be three (3).
  4. The Parish Council’s Code of Conduct, Standing Orders and Financial Regulations apply to this Committee.
  5. The Committee, subject to the scheme of delegation in Standing Orders and Financial Regulations, may make recommendations to council. 

 

Responsibilities

  1. To have responsibility for the safe and efficient operation of the cemeteries.
  2. To ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
  3. To review the Cemetery charges on an annual basis.
  4. To review the Cemetery rules and regulations at least on a bi-annual basis and more frequently if needed.
  5. To ensure the completion of regular Monument Safety Testing and the implementation of any recommendations arising from the testing.
  6. To ensure that Cemetery records are maintained accurately.
  7. To monitor grounds maintenance activities within the Cemetery.
  8. To develop proposals for the development or improvement of the Cemetery and request necessary funding as part of the Council’s budgetary process.
  9. To maintain the War Memorial and pillbox located in the grounds of the Cemetery.
  10. To consider proposals for developing Cemetery services, generating fee income and monitoring costs.
  11. To liaise with interested users, fee-payers and suitable professional bodies to ensure their views and recommendations are taken into account in managing the Cemetery.
  12. To undertake ad hoc activities relating to the Cemetery as directed by Parish Council.

 

Administration

The Committee will be administered by the Clerk to the Parish Council.